Baldur's Gate 3 Shocks Gamers with Unexpected Romance Plot Twist

Highlights

Baldur's Gate 3 offers players the chance to engage in romantic relationships with several core cast members.

The Dream Visitor, an adventurer turned Mind Flayer known as The Emperor, offers an unexpected romance option. As the protagonist engages in discussions about their respective pasts, a potential romantic undertone strengthens the emotional connection between them and The Emperor.

While this romance with The Emperor boasts a distinct and captivating concept, it does appear somewhat unexpected. To enhance its appeal, incorporating earlier hints or dialogue options alluding to deeper feelings could have garnered a larger following, as it currently feels a bit hurried. Nevertheless, it unquestionably remains intriguing.

Baldur's Gate 3 presents players with the opportunity to engage in romantic relationships with various characters in its core cast. These relationships develop and evolve throughout the game, offering players a chance to explore different emotional arcs. While most romantic subplots can begin early on, they continue to progress alongside other choices, taking the game's romance to a new level.

However, not all romances can begin in the game's early stages. Some can only be initiated later on. One such romance involves the Dream Visitor, a customizable character residing within the Artefact carried by Shadowheart. This revelation may come as a surprise, as earlier conversations do not hint at any potential romantic feelings. But there is an even more significant surprise regarding the true identity of the Dream Visitor.

The Emperor Being a Romance Option Comes Almost Out of Nowhere

The Dream Visitor, also known as The Emperor, was once an adventurer who underwent a forced transformation into a Mind Flayer. They served the Absolute for a prolonged period before regaining their consciousness. In order to gain credibility, they assumed the appearance that players customized. Regardless of whether players choose to heed their advice or not, The Emperor remains a guide throughout the entire journey. This unexpected revelation is one of the most significant character twists in Baldur's Gate 3, and it paves the way for a potential relationship between The Emperor and the protagonist.

While the existence of Friendly Mind Flayers is not entirely unheard of in Baldur's Gate 3, as one may already be found in the Underdark, The Emperor's revelation is far more shocking since they had been in close proximity to the player for numerous hours. If players are accepting of their true identity, a genuine emotional connection can begin to develop.

The romantic connection between The Emperor and Duke Stelmane, their former partner in the Knights of the Shield, is evident when discussing their relationship. The Emperor expresses their deep connection and grief over Duke Stelmane's death, creating an intimate moment where the player can offer support by holding The Emperor's hand. Although this gesture is typically seen between friends, there is potential for a romantic undertone in future interactions.

In a scene that introduces a unique and unconventional romantic arc, The Emperor reveals their feelings for the protagonist, attributing it to the kindness and empathy shown towards the Mind Flayer, even after their true form was revealed. Players have the option to react with disgust or politely decline The Emperor's advances, or to reciprocate their feelings. This presents the possibility of a romantic relationship with a Mind Flayer, contrary to what Larian Studios initially stated about Baldur's Gate 3.

The build-up to this scene is somewhat lacking, and its suddenness could have been mitigated by incorporating more dialogue options that hinted at deeper emotions. While it is logical for The Emperor to develop feelings, given the player's significant role in determining their fate throughout the game, the protagonist's emotional development feels somewhat rushed.

Introducing The Emperor as a love interest is an intriguing plot twist, but it would have been more well-received if the groundwork had been laid earlier. With Baldur's Gate 3 offering numerous romance options, it is unfortunate that this particular one will likely be overlooked due to its late introduction.

Baldur's Gate 3 is out now on PC and will come out September 6 on PS5. A version for Xbox Series X/S is in development.